2009 NFL Draft Predictions: New York Jets

Written by Jimmy Boyd on April 6, 2009

jets-draft-4609 The “Mangenius” didn’t last long in the Big Apple and now the pressure is on General Manager Mike Tannenbaum to put a winner on the field or he can kiss his job goodbye as well. After a promising start, the Jets choked in 2008, losing 4 of their last 5 games, to finish a very unhappy 9-7. Now it’s back to the drawing board as new head coach Rex Ryan tries his hand at making the Jets a contender.

Biggest Draft Needs – Brett Favre helped the Jets put a winning team on the field, but ultimately it wasn’t enough. With Favre finally calling it quits, the Jets are going to have to start thinking about the quarterback position as Kellen Clemens hasn’t yet looked like the QB of the future. Additionally, the Jets need a pass rusher. The need someone they can depend on to put heat on opposing QB’s consistently. Getting players in place to take over for right tackle Damien Woody and running back Thomas Jones down the road is something the team will likely look to address.

Likely Day 1 Targets – Expect the Jets to pounce if they can get their hands on Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo, Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin, or Florida State defensive end Everette Brown. The Jets are so desperate for a capable rusher on the outside that they could even reach for Utah defensive end Paul Kruger. Orakpo was the best pass rusher in the nation a season ago with unmatched athleticism at his position. Maybin could stand to gain a few pounds. At just 236 pounds, larger lineup have had his number. But with his huge upside, that isn’t going to stop teams from being hot on his trail.

If the Jets get scared off from taking a defensive end early because of last year’s flop with Vernon Gholston, and they decide that they don’t want to go forward with Clemens, they might try to go after one of the top QB prospects, Georgia’s Matthew Stafford or USC’s Mark Sanchez. If Stafford slides, expect the Jets to be all over him. Scouts are big on his strong arm, and like Tom Brady, they don’t feel his skills were fully put on display in college because of Georgia’s strong running game.

Recent Draft Track Record – The Jets have added some decent talent in recent years with cornerback Darrelle Revis, linebacker David Harris, offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, center Nick Mangold, and running back Leon Washington, but right now the 2008 draft class is looking like a major disappointment because outside linebacker Vernon Gholston looked nothing like the impact player the team expected with just 4 tackles and 0 sacks. Tight end Dustin Keller does look to be a solid player who can play in the NFL for years to come.

Do your NFL betting with Jimmy Boyd this fall on his NFL expert picks for another great season of taking down the NFL lines.

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